Community Notebook Community Notebook (November 17, 2004)

Panel examines rights of war prisoners

Prisoners are currently being held by the United States government at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba and in the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. What rights under international law apply to these prisoners?

A panel of legal scholars will meet from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, November 16, in Room 180 of the Stanford Law School to consider provisions of the Geneva Convention and other human-rights standards regarding detentions and interrogations.

Panel guests include Holmes Armstead of the Naval War College, Beth Van Schaack of Santa Clara University, and Kathryn Zoglin of the American Bar Association. Jonathan Greenberg, director of international graduate studies at Stanford, will moderate the program.

This World Affairs Council event is co-sponsored by the school's international graduate studies program and the Palo Alto Red Cross. Tickets are $8 for members; $10 for nonmembers; and no charge for students. For reservations, call (415) 293-4600 or go to itsyourworld.org.
Workshop on future of La Honda preserve

The future of the 2,000-acre La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve is the focus of a community workshop, hosted by the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space Preserve and set for 7 p.m. Monday, December 6, in the La Honda Elementary School Cafeteria, 450 Sears Ranch Road.

The public workshops are the first steps in a year-long process to create a master plan for the preserve, tackling issues such as trail use, visitor parking and resource management.

For information, call Matt Freeman, senior open space planner, at 691-1200.
Bullied no more

Are bullying and harassment, cliques and exclusion, a fact of life for students? Can schools and communities learn to identify and end this hostile culture?

A program, sponsored by the Portola Valley PTA and school district, tackles these questions at 7 p.m. Tuesday, November 16, in the multi-use room at Ormondale School, 200 Shawnee Pass. It's open to the public.

The speaker is Shanterra McBride, an educator with the nonprofit Empower Program. She is visiting Portola Valley schools for two days, and giving information about skills children need to navigate challenges such as bullying.
Mosquito board seeks member

The county's Mosquito Abatement District is accepting applications for a seat on its 13-member board. The district is responsible for safeguarding residents' health by exterminating mosquitoes and other noxious insects.

Applications are available from Kim Langel, deputy clerk of the Board of Supervisors, 400 County Center in Redwood City, or by calling 363-4121. The application deadline is December 2. For information about the Mosquito Abatement District, call Karen Williams at 344-8592.
Canada College offers high school alternative

Canada Middle College -- a program for high school juniors who want to take college courses -- is hosting an information session on Tuesday, November 16, from 7 to 8 p.m. in Room 12 of Building 22 on the Canada College campus in Woodside.

"Students attend Middle College because they are motivated to finish their high school diploma, get a head start on college courses, have outgrown high school or just want the freedom of a college setting," said Kathy Smith, a spokesperson for Canada College. Applications for spring semester will be available at the event.

Canada College is located at 4200 Farm Hill Blvd. in Woodside. For more information, see www.canadacollege.edu/middlecollege or call 306-3120.
Web site provides mental health info

A new Web site with information on public and private mental health services in San Mateo County can be seen at http://sanmateo.networkofcare.org.

Sponsored by San Mateo County Mental Health Services, the Network of Care site provides information, news, a library, links, and a chat room.

San Mateo is the third California county to initiate a Network of Care program, said Gale Battaille, mental health director for the county. "In a time of statewide fiscal crisis, at least we can provide San Mateo County residents with access to critical and useful information about mental health," she said.
Sustainable group seeks nominees

Sustainable San Mateo County, a nonprofit organization, is seeking nominations for its annual Sustainability Awards.

Businesses, nonprofit organizations, government agencies and individuals are eligible if they have contributed to improving the environment, promoted social equity, or added to the regional economy by engaging in environmentally and socially responsible practices.

Past winners include JZ Cool eatery in Menlo Park.

Nominations are due by November 29. This is the 5th annual award ceremony. There will be a dinner honoring the winners in February. To make a nomination, call 638-2323; or download a nomination form at www.sustainablesanmateo.org.

E-mail a friend a link to this story.